The 22-year-old has scored 21 goals in 48 appearances for a Marseille side that struggled and ended up finishing 13th in the table.

Batshuayi, who is rated around the £30m mark, is also wanted by Tottenham and West Ham.

Welbeck’s injury – coming just a few months after he was sidelined for almost a year with an injury to his other knee – has increased Arsenal’s need to add to their already limited attack, although Juventus striker Alvaro Morata remains their top priority.